WASHINGTON (RNS) About 1,000 protesters gathered in Miami this weekend to defend the Israeli Defense Force’s controversial raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla, while a smaller crowd demonstrated outside the White House to echo support in Washington. The central theme for both groups: Israeli troops acted in self-defense.

The group ranged in age and faith background. Some danced the traditional hora while sporting Israeli flags on their backs as demonstrators marked the 43rd anniversary of the Six Day War when Israel consolidated its territory and seized Palestinian lands.

“We’re trying to give the bigger picture,” said Bob Kunst, president of Shalom International, a lead organizer in Sunday’s events. “The Six-Day War represents the unity of Israel. It was the unifying of the Jewish state that had already been there for 5,000 years.”

Still, the undeniable focus was support of the Israeli Defense Force, which has been criticized for the May 31 raid in which nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed and nine Israeli soldiers were injured.

Detractors accuse Israel of violating international law by boarding the six ships in open waters. Supporters on Sunday said the IDF was authorized to intercept the vessels because they had violated the three-year blockade of Gaza, which is controlled by the militant group Hamas.

“This flotilla carried weaponry for the destruction of Israel,” said Conrad Holtslag, who joined the group of about 100 protesters outside the White House. “The administration of (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu would’ve been derelict in its duties had it not interdicted this flotilla.”

Bonnie Weissman, holding a sign that read, “Another Catholic Stands with Israel,” wondered why flotilla organizers refused Israeli offers to transport the aid to Gaza after inspections.

“Why didn’t they do what the Israelis offered?” she asked. “Why didn’t they do that? I don’t understand it.”